Mumbai’s Air Pollution Crisis: Causes, Effects, and Solutions .

 Mumbai’s Air Pollution Crisis

Mumbai, the financial capital of India, is facing a serious problem of air pollution. The city's Air Quality Index (AQI) has been consistently poor in the past few weeks, reaching as high as 337 in some areas.(1) AQI is a measure of the concentration of various pollutants in the air, such as particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, ozone, and carbon monoxide. AQI levels above 100 are considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, and above 300 are considered hazardous for everyone.(2)

Air pollution has a severe impact on the respiratory health of the citizens, especially the elderly, children, and people with comorbidities. According to health experts, air pollution can cause or worsen various respiratory illnesses, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchitis, pneumonia, lung cancer, and COVID-19.(3,4,5.) Air pollution can also increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension, stroke, and heart attack. (3,4,5.)  The number of cases of respiratory infections, such as flu and swine flu, has also increased in the city due to the changing weather and the drop in air quality. (6.)

The city authorities and the citizens need to take urgent action to reduce air pollution and protect their health. Some of the possible measures are using public transportation, saving energy, recycling waste, avoiding firecrackers and bonfires, planting trees, and wearing masks. (2,4,5.)  Air pollution is not only a threat to human health, but also to the environment and the economy. Therefore, it is important to act now and breathe clean.

Some sources of air pollution in Mumbai are:

• Traffic emissions: Vehicles are one of the major sources of air pollution in Mumbai, as they emit greenhouse gases and other pollutants, such as particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide. Mumbai has a high density of vehicles, especially two-wheelers and diesel vehicles, which are more polluting than other types of vehicles(7,8,10.).
• Construction activities: Construction sites generate dust and debris that can become airborne and contribute to particulate matter pollution. Construction activities also involve the use of diesel generators, cement mixers, and other equipment that emit pollutants. Mumbai has a lot of ongoing construction projects, such as metro rail, coastal road, and redevelopment schemes, which increase the pollution load. (7,8,10.).
• Road dust: Paved and unpaved roads can produce dust when vehicles drive over them or when they are swept by wind or cleaning machines. Road dust can contain soil, sand, gravel, metals, and organic matter that can affect the air quality. Mumbai has many roads that are poorly maintained or have potholes, which can increase the dust generation. (7,8,10.).
• Landfills and waste burning: Landfills are places where solid waste is dumped and buried. Landfills can emit methane, a potent greenhouse gas, as well as other pollutants, such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and volatile organic compounds. Waste burning is the practice of burning solid waste in open or enclosed spaces. Waste burning can release toxic substances, such as dioxins, furans, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and heavy metals. Mumbai has several landfills, such as Deonar and Mulund, that are overfilled and poorly managed. Waste burning is also common in some areas of the city. (7,8,9.).
• Industrial emissions: Industries are another source of air pollution in Mumbai, as they produce various pollutants depending on their type and process. Some of the common pollutants from industries are particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, and hazardous air pollutants. Mumbai has several industrial clusters, such as Taloja, Tarapur, Ambernath, Dombivli, and Mahul. (7,8,10.).

Some effects of pollution on human health are:

• Respiratory problems: Pollution can cause irritation and inflammation of the nose, throat, and lungs, leading to symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and asthma attacks. Pollution can also increase the risk of lung infections, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and lung cancer.(11,12,14.)
• Cardiovascular problems: Pollution can affect the heart and blood vessels, causing increased blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, reduced blood oxygen levels, and increased clotting. Pollution can also trigger heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure. .(11,12,14.)
• Nervous system problems: Pollution can damage the brain and the nervous system, affecting cognitive functions such as memory, attention, learning, and behavior. Pollution can also cause headaches, dizziness, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. .(11,12,14.)
• Cancer: Pollution can increase the risk of various types of cancer, such as lung cancer, skin cancer, bladder cancer, and leukemia. Pollution can also affect the DNA and cause mutations that may lead to cancer. .(11,12,14.15.)
• Reproductive problems: Pollution can affect the reproductive system and the development of the fetus. Pollution can cause infertility, miscarriage, low birth weight, birth defects, and hormonal imbalances. .(11,12,14.)
• Immune system problems: Pollution can weaken the immune system and make it more susceptible to infections and diseases. Pollution can also cause allergic reactions and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. .(11,12,14.)

Preventive Measures:

Air pollution in Mumbai is a serious problem that affects the health and well-being of millions of people. It also contributes to climate change, which threatens the stability and sustainability of our planet. Therefore, it is important to protect yourself from air pollution and to take action to reduce it. Here are some tips on how to protect yourself from air pollution in Mumbai:

1. Wear a mask: A mask can filter out some of the harmful particles and gases from the air and prevent them from entering your lungs. You should wear a mask that fits well and has a high filtration efficiency, such as N95 or N99 masks. You should also replace your mask regularly and wash it if it is reusable,(20)
2. Stay indoors: When the air quality is poor, you should avoid outdoor activities and stay indoors as much as possible. You should also keep your windows and doors closed to prevent polluted air from entering your home or workplace.(20)
3. Use an air purifier: An air purifier can clean the indoor air by removing pollutants, such as dust, smoke, allergens, and bacteria. You should choose an air purifier that has a high clean air delivery rate (CADR) and a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. You should also place the air purifier in a well-ventilated area and change the filter regularly.(20)
4. Avoid exposure to sources of pollution: You should avoid or reduce exposure to sources of pollution, such as traffic, construction, waste burning, and industrial emissions. You can do this by choosing alternative routes, modes of transportation, or timings for your travel. You can also avoid using products that contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as paints, solvents, cleaners, aerosols, and pesticides.(16,17,19.)
5. Monitor the air quality: You should monitor the air quality index (AQI) of your area regularly and plan your activities accordingly. AQI is a measure of the concentration of various pollutants in the air, such as particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, ozone, and carbon monoxide. AQI levels above 100 are considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, and above 300 are considered hazardous for everyone². You can check the AQI of Mumbai on websites such as [AQI India](18) 

These are some of the ways to protect yourself from air pollution in Mumbai. By following these tips, you can reduce your exposure to pollution and its health effects. However, protecting yourself is not enough. You should also take action to reduce your contribution to pollution and to protect your environment.

References

1. Mumbai Air Quality Index (AQI) : Real-Time Air Pollution | Maharashtra. https://www.aqi.in/dashboard/india/maharashtra/mumbai.
2. How Mumbai’s poor air quality can impact overall health. https://www.healthcareradius.in/people/27709-how-mumbais-poor-air-quality-can-impact-overall-health.
3. Mumbai: Is pollution giving city coughing fit? - Mid-Day. https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/mumbai-is-pollution-giving-city-coughing-fit-23269538.
4. Climate Change and Air Pollution in Mumbai | SpringerLink. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-61346-8_18.
5. Changing weather, air pollution spurs surge in respiratory illnesses .... https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/changing-weather-air-pollution-spurs-surge-in-respiratory-illnesses-doctors-101697570149613.html.
6. Mumbai: Ahead of Diwali, health experts warn of surge in lung ailments. https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/mumbai-ahead-of-diwali-health-experts-warn-of-surge-in-lung-ailments-23316885.
7. Mumbai Air Pollution: Anti-smog guns may have just localised effect .... https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/mumbai-air-pollution-anti-smog-guns-may-have-just-localised-effect-says-experts/articleshow/104768325.cms.
8. Mumbai Air Pollution: With air quality worsening, MPCB cracks whip on polluting companies. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/mumbai-air-pollution-with-air-quality-worsening-mpcb-cracks-whip-on-polluting-companies/articleshow/104768241.cms.
9. Taking on a burning problem: Mumbai's air pollution | ORF. https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/taking-on-a-burning-problem-mumbais-air-pollution/.
10. Clear the air: Mumbai needs a comprehensive and inclusive plan to address air pollution. https://www.financialexpress.com/opinion/clear-the-air-mumbai-needs-a-comprehensive-and-inclusive-plan-to-address-air-pollution/3289106/.
11. Effects of Pollution on Human Health - Vedantu. https://www.vedantu.com/biology/effects-of-pollution-on-human-health.
12. How air pollution is destroying our health - World Health Organization .... https://www.who.int/news-room/spotlight/how-air-pollution-is-destroying-our-health.
13. Effects of Air Pollution on Human Health – Environmental Biology. https://pressbooks.umn.edu/environmentalbiology/chapter/effects-of-air-pollution-on-human-health/.
14. Air Pollution and Your Health - National Institute of Environmental .... https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/air-pollution/index.cfm.
15. The Effects of Environmental Pollution on Human Health. https://www.scientificworldinfo.com/2019/10/effects-of-environmental-pollution-on-human-health.html.
16. Mumbai Air Quality Index (AQI) : Real-Time Air Pollution | Maharashtra. https://www.aqi.in/dashboard/india/maharashtra/mumbai.
17. Mumbai doctors share tips to cope with the recent air pollution in the city. https://www.msn.com/en-in/health/health-news/mumbai-doctors-share-tips-to-cope-with-the-recent-air-pollution-in-the-city/ar-AA1ixqWn.
18. Air Pollution: Law empowers citizens to complain against polluters, but .... https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/air-pollution-law-empowers-citizens-to-complain-against-polluters-but-is-it-effective/articleshow/104768393.cms.
19. Mumbai Air Quality Index (AQI) : Real-Time Air Pollution | Maharashtra. https://www.aqi.in/dashboard/india/maharashtra/mumbai.
20. Mumbai civic panel issues fresh guidelines to combat air pollution woes. https://www.msn.com/en-in/money/topstories/mumbai-civic-panel-issues-fresh-guidelines-to-combat-air-pollution-woes/ar-AA1iQbss.

Regards and Thanks,

Dr. (Prof)Rajendra T. Nanavare

Chest Physician, Mumbai.